Spring 2025 on Annapurna I: Bare Ice, Open Crevasses and Two Missing Sherpas
| Event date | 3–7 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Location | Annapurna I, between Camps 2 and 3 |
| Type | Avalanche; missing persons; rescue and evacuation |
| Missing | 2 Sherpas, after an avalanche on 7 April |
| Rescued | Vadim Druelle (France, 23), crevasse fall on 3 April |
| Verification | Partially verified (names of the missing not confirmed in sources reviewed) |
| Status | Historical |
Experienced Sherpa climbers described Annapurna in spring 2025 as being in the worst condition they had seen. An unusually dry winter left the lower mountain bare and the upper slopes as hard blue ice, with large, deep crevasses open across the route.
On 3 April, 23-year-old French climber Vadim Druelle, climbing in lightweight alpine style, fell into a crevasse. Three Sherpas got him out and he was flown by helicopter to hospital in Kathmandu. Several teams nevertheless summited on 6–7 April, with more than 45 summits reported. On 7 April two Sherpas went missing between Camps 2 and 3 after an avalanche, in the section climbers had singled out as the most worrying on the route.
Sources
Last reviewed 29 September 2026. Written in Merolog’s own words from the sources listed; where sources disagree, each figure is attributed rather than merged. Spotted an error or a newer figure? Leave a comment on this entry.